The first two papers in the section serve to illustrate the important role that halokinesis of the Zechstein salt played in controlling sedimentation in parts of the Central Graben. Smithet al. demonstrated that, even as early as the Triassic, salt movements were instrumental in controlling and focusing sedimentation in synforms developed on the surface of the salt. There also appears to be a salt-controlled ‘grain’ to the Jurassic pre-rift cover sequence.

This theme is developed further by Westonet al. in their use of analogue models to study the interaction between active faulting, sedimentation and salt movement. The objective of this ongoing research project is to improve our understanding of the factors controlling diapirism and its effects on the overburden sequence, particularly the geometry of beds close to the diapir where seismic data quality is generally poor.

Morgan and Cutts show that the Triassic of the Crawford Field is cut by a series of low-angle faults which appear to sole out towards the top of the Permian. Considerable block rotation has occurred, resulting in loss of section across the faults. This has serious implications for correlation work if, where present, such faults are not recognized. This, and other related papers on the East Irish Sea Basin, indicate. . .